We believe that a Concours should be judged by the very best in the world and Salon Privé is proudly and uniquely the only multi-marque Concours in the UK to be judged by a professional jury of some of the world’s foremost authorities on historic automobiles. Our team of illustrious marque-specialist judges boast long-term positions at the world’s most prestigious Concours and work with history’s most prestigious brands.
The teams of judges take on the exacting task of evaluating all the cars on the show field and deciding which prizes are awarded, including the prestigious ‘Best of Show’. This process is the gold standard of historic car judging, used across the very best concours events across the globe.
20 years after starting work at Bonhams, and 10 years after founding and running RM Sotheby’s European division, Max set up Girardo & Co. in June 2016. Thanks to Girardo’s experience, they are in a position to offer a unique level of advice and array of facilities to build trust and extend long-term relationships with both new and ambitious collectors.
Nigel has been in the classic car business for over 45 years, now a leading figure in the specialist insurance industry. He has also judged at many major concours events including Pebble Beach, La Jolla, Hillsborough and the Australian Concours d’Elegance as Chief Judge.
Chris has been working in the classic car industry for over thirty years, becoming a value appraiser and FIVA Scrutineer. Chris presently judges on four continents, at Pebble Beach, 21 Gun Salute in Delhi, La Jolla, Cavallino Classic, Sydney, Las Vegas, Geneva and Greenwich.
Richard is a world-renowned expert on pre-war French aerodynamic cars. He is a member of both the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Advisory Board and the Board of the Mullin Automotive Museum, and has been since those bodies’ inceptions.
Kai Billesfeld is an experienced automotive technician and advisor at a German specialist for classic car restorations, maintenance and service. Having worked for other well-known restorers, he has always been driven by the passion for classic cars, technology and the automobile history.
Keith started writing about Ferrari in 1980, now with 7 published works on the marque. He is a Ferrari Club of America Concours judge and has judged at the Cavallino Classic, Concorso Italiano, Pebble Beach and both the Ferrari 60th & 70th Anniversary Concorso d’Eleganza.
As well as his doctorate in English literature and semiotics, Peter has an enduring fascination in the great French marques and coachbuilders. Peter also serves on the Selection Committee for Pebble Beach, and judges in concours around the world.
In addition to his work as technical curator of the Louwman Museum, Raoul has judged prolifically around the world. His international Concours career has included events in England, Germany, India, Japan, Switzerland and the USA.
A lifelong vintage motorist, New Zealand-born Allan Winn was from 2003 to 2018 the Director & CEO of Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, UK, and remains a Vice-President of its Trust. An engineer by training and the Editor of engineering, motoring and aviation magazines over a 30-year period, he judges at various Concours d’Elégance including Pebble Beach.
James has a lifetime of experience with cars of all ages, having grown up with them; driven since he was seven and raced for twenty-nine years. He drives and coaches professionally and consults for events. James has judged Concours in Europe, India and the USA.
Having been directly involved with numerous Concours winning cars and attending Concours events since the age of 12, Ben has a sharp eye for originality and detail. He is an avid collector of all things Ferrari with an ever-growing historical archive.
Michele has been the curator of the Lopresto Collection since 2013 and is a member of the Italian Association for Automotive History (AISA). His main area of study is Italian coachbuilders and sportscars between the 30s and 50s.
The first woman to graduate from the Automotive Restoration Program at the Academy of Art University, Caroline Cassini was practically raised in the classic car hobby. Born to parents ranked among the world’s leading collectors, she spent her childhood attending various automotive events.
Ben Erickson is connoisseur of the grand French classics. Along with Peter Larsen, Ben is co-author of many books on French coachbuilding. Along with automotive consulting and serving as a concours judge, time is devoted to his translation company, music and cars.
Todd is passionate about driving, automotive craftsmanship and design. He has restored many vehicles, winning accolades for maintaining originality and precise presentation. Since 2003, Todd has served as a judge for a range of marques at various Concours, is the Chief Judge of Maserati CMA. His goal is to bridge modern classics with Concours standards and encourage future preservation.
Jakob Greisen is Head of Bonhams US Motoring Department and Vice President. Danish by birth, Jakob was immersed in the car fraternity from an early age. After finishing his education as an automotive engineer, while studying business and management, Jakob moved to the US in 2002, where he managed a major west coast collection.
Christoph has more than 30 years’ experience as a collector and a dealer of highly collectable motor cars. With a reputation for maintaining a professional focus on finding lost treasures, he is passionate about identifying the true historical value of cars and an ambassador for preservation and authenticity.
Aniruddh has been an automobile enthusiast from a very young age, and has been collecting and archiving information on classic cars in India for over 30 years. His keen interest lies primarily in vintage and classic American cars and pre-war European marques. Since 2002, he has headed the India Chapter for the Packard International Club of USA and has been instrumental in starting the classic car drive movement across the country.
Gabriele is the Operations Manager with responsibility for the historical archive, communication and cars management at Ferrari Classiche in Maranello (Ferrari Classiche is the service that Ferrari offers to certify the authenticity of Ferrari road cars over 20 years old). He has worked on more than 100 different restoration projects.
A lifelong car enthusiast, John is a leading market commentator, the Editor of the UK Hagerty Price Guide and European Bureau Chief of Hagerty Insider. His passions include Alfa Romeo, Porsche and pre-war MG cars and he is the author of the acclaimed biography of Goldie Gardner.
Madan Mohan is an avid motoring enthusiast and collector who launched the 21 Gun Salute Concours d’Elegance in 2011, which is now one of Asia’s most prestigious Concours Shows. He is a renowned figure in the global motoring fraternity who passionately believes in preserving motoring history, particularly the glory of the Indian motoring heritage.
Anglo-Italian James is a photojournalist in Sydney, Australia. A member of The Guild of Motoring Writers, his work has appeared in magazines around the world including Motorsport, Octane, The Spectator, and Magneto. Founder of the Sydney Harbour Concours, he is a member of the Jury at various shows including Chantilly Arts & Elegance and The 21 Gun Salute in India, where he is also M/C.
Andrea comes from four generations of car restorers and so has been surrounded by cars all of his life. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the Enzo Ferrari University in Modena, he worked in Modena and then in the United States, before returning to Italy to join the family firm, sourcing, restoring and preparing beautiful cars for collectors, owners and racers.
Paul has been involved with classic cars since 1973. He is a Chief Class Judge at Pebble Beach and Cavallino Classic. He also holds notable advisory positions for many national and international bodies, all working towards the preservation of classic automobiles.
